Chester Bird falls in Moose Country Challenge semifinals

Jimmy Heck went 4-for-4 with a run
scored and two RBI in his return to the
Chester Bird lineup.

Jimmy Heck returned to the Chester Bird lineup and turned in a four-for-four performance but Fridley overcame a pair of deficits to claim a 7-4 win in the first semifinal of the Moose Country Challenge.

Both Heck and Joe Melles had missed the first three games of the tournament as they took part in the Lions' All-Star Game in Chaska, and their returned paid immediate dividends.

After Fridley scored in the top of the first, Keaton Studsrud collected a one-out walk in the bottom half of the frame. Heck followed with a base hit and the duo advanced a base when Melles grounded out. Both runners then scored on Gabe MacDonald's single through the middle to give Chester Bird a 2-1 lead.

The Birds picked up another run in the second inning when Sam Lynch reached on a broken-bat, infield single and moved to second on Marcus Barone's sacrifice bunt. Lynch then moved to third on a wild pitch and, one out later, scored on Heck's basehit.

Fridley tied the game with two runs in the third inning but Chester Bird regained the lead in the fourth inning when Matt Ambre led off with a base hit. One out later, Barone reached on a fielder's choice, forcing out Ambre at second base, and moved to second himself on a steal attempt with Fridley second baseman A.J. LaPanta dropping the throw from catcher Marco Lucarelli.

The error cost Fridley as Keaton Studsrud followed with a walk before Heck singled for the third time in the game.

Fridley took the lead for good in the sixth inning when their first two batters reached base and finished day for The Birds' pitcher John Backes. However, Joe Melles was unable to hold the lead and Fridley scored three times to take a 6-4 lead before adding an uneared run in the seventh.

Backes, making his first start, worked five and one-third innings. He allowed five runs on eight hits with three walks.

Heck's four-for-four performance at the plate included two RBI and a run scored.

The Birds return to South Hennepin League action this week with a pair of home games. Tuesday, Chester Bird hosts Richfield before a Wednesday meeting with defending American Legion World Series champion Eden Praire. Both games are slated for 6 p.m. starts at BSM Field.